That rack interested me,--I hardly knew why,--and regardless of the noise I made, I crossed over to it and ran my hand along the wall underneath.

The result was startling.

A man's coat and hat hung from one of the pegs.
I knew my business as president of this club.

I also knew that no one should be in the house at this time--that no one could be in it on any honest errand.

Some secret and sinister business must be at the bottom of this mysterious intrusion immediately after the place had been shut for the winter.